The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-06-02
CRAZY KING OTTO.
Incidents OF the Mad Bavar,an Monarch's
Life at Nymphenburg.

A.
Life At Nymphenburg.
Of the life and habits of the present
King of Bavaria very little is known,
even to his own subjects. The crowds
of officials and servants attending on
him have direct orders to keep His
Majesty as much as possible out OF
sight of the public eye. The King lives
at present at Nymphenburg, q suburb
of Munich. in secluded castle, which
is surrounded by vast forest. No one
except the officers and the members of
the royal family is allowed to enter the
castle, nor is the unhappy monarch
allowed to quit his solitude oftener than
once or twice a month. OF late the
Kings lucid moments have become
rarer and are of short duration. When
ever he is allowed to walk in the dense
woods right in the neighborhood of his
castle. a strong guard always accom-
panies him. The police are notified
days before and search every spot with
in ten miles of Nymphenburg to scare
away the curious crowds which are
always sure to gather on these occa-
sions. In spite of the strict watch of a
numerous body of police your cor
respondent succeeded in catching a
glimpse of the lunatic monarch. He is
a fine-looking man, tall and slender in
appearance, his steps are short, hasty
and not seldom faltering. He resem-
bles his brother, the late Ludwig, good
deal, but his features are of softer
and more feminine cast. His hair is OF
darker hue. His eyes are blue, but
they are sad pair of human eyes to
behold. They are dull and lifeless-
the eyes of an idiot
The King is as helpless as baby.
After rising late in the morning he has
to be dressed, and then is put in his
chair He very soon makes known his
desire for breakfast, and cup of
chocolate is brought him. He is very
fond of chocolate. He drinks but lit
tie, however, and then calls for his body
servant named Fritz" Fritz" who
knows the Kings that are to come,
obeys the call of his lord. As soon as
he is within reach of the Kings arms
the insane man, with a pleasant smile,
pours the rest of his chocolate over
"Fritz's" head, bids him 60 away, and
throws the cup after him. "Fritz,
who is paid well, does not mind it
much. He, as well as the other lackeys
attending on the King, wear old and
soiled iveries, for sometimes the King
throws other things than cups of chocO-
late at their loyal heads.
King Otto likes to go to his safe, take
out small pieces of money, and either
distribute them among his attendants
or throw them out of the window.
Three or four times week the Queen
Dowager of Bavaria, King Otto's
mother, comes to see him. The unfor-
tunate man does not know his mother
any more. When his lackeys lead her
into his apartments the poor idiot often
takes her to be a poor woman. He
gives little money to the next courtier
and tells him to give it to that poor
woman" The Queens deep grief
may be imagined. Poor Otto has
always been her favorite child. In his
youth King Otto was fine, handsome
Boy. He gave promise of great intel
lectual powers. Then his father died.
He was allowed to make tour through
Italy. While in the land of everlasting
spring, young Otto, little older than
eighteen, fell in love with pretty
actress. And after that he fell in love
with many other actresses and other
women. When he returned to Bavaria
he was found to have in his body the
seeds of deadly disease.-M T.
Graphic.